About FOGO
FOGO is a weekly food and garden organics collection service to divert waste from landfill and increase production of compost
We are proud to be one of the first councils in NSW to introduce a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin collection service. Our community in the Bega Valley has been saying ‘yes to compost’ and ‘no to landfill’ since October 2018. From 2030 all councils in NSW will be required to provide a FOGO service to turn their food and garden waste into high quality compost instead of putting it into landfill.
FOGO saves valuable landfill space, saves money and gives us all the opportunity to be smarter with waste!
Photograph: Costa Georgiadis (right) talks organic and food waste with Bega Valley Shire Council’s Organics Processing Coordinator, Mick Yarra during a visit to the Merimbula Waste and Recycling Centre.
Why FOGO?
Food waste is easy to keep out of landfill. FOGO is part of a plan to improve the way we manage waste, and it has both financial and environmental benefits.
On average (by weight) 38% of red bin content is food that can be composted. Landfill should be the last option for waste disposal. Landfills are expensive, and landfilling results in resources being lost, instead of being recycled. As populations increase around Australia, and in the Bega Valley, the rate that landfills are filling up is also increasing. The faster the landfill space is used, the greater the cost to the community and the environment.
Who is eligible to have a FOGO service?
All residents within the town limits of Merimbula, Berrambool, Mirador, Bega, Tura Beach, Bermagui, Cobargo, Tathra, Mogareeka, Eden, Wolumla, Kalaru, Pambula, Quaama, Wallaga Lake and Candelo are required to have a FOGO bin as part of our three bin waste collection system. FOGO bins are collected from about 12,500 properties in the Bega Valley.
All businesses within town limits who are on a FOGO collection route and can present their bins for kerbside collection are also eligible to apply for a Commercial FOGO service. See the FOGO for Business page for more information.
What can go wrong?
FOGO changes the way you sort your household waste for collection and its success relies on not having contaminants in your green-lid FOGO bin. We have a variety of resources to help choose the right bin and to let you know what you can put in your FOGO bin.
Although our community has achieved relatively low contamination rates, contamination is an ongoing challenge. We have a Contamination Process which aims to help keep contamination low.
How often is my FOGO bin collected?
- Residential and Commercial FOGO collection is a weekly service. Businesses in the Merimbula and Pambula area are able to opt in for a second weekly pick up service (see the FOGO for Business page for more information).
To find out more about your bin collection dates visit HERE or download the FREE Bega Valley Waste APP.
Why FOGO makes sense
- Food waste generates methane when disposed of in landfill. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 24 times as potent than carbon dioxide. Less methane production in our landfill means we are reducing our environmental impact.
- Our landfill will last longer. FOGO will divert about 1000 tonnes of household food waste away from landfill each year.
- The NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041 has a target of 80% of waste generated away from landfill. We are working towards these targets through the Bega Valley Waste Strategy and FOGO plays an important role.
- The capture and reuse of organics through FOGO is aligned with the transition to a sustainable circular economy.
FOGO is not just about choosing the right bin, it’s about changing the way we think about waste…
Simple tips to reduce food waste
- Plan your weekly menu and take a shopping list (with quantities) to the supermarket
- Cook with leftovers
- Store food correctly so it lasts longer
- Take advantage of your local community garden
Questions and Answers
Stay up-to-date on FOGO by:
- Downloading the FREE Bega Valley Waste APP
- Calling us on 02 6499 2222
- Following our Facebook page @BegaValleyWasteandRecycling
Related Media Releases
This project was supported by the Environmental Trust as part of the NSW EPA’s Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.
© Bega Valley Shire Council 2024
Our council websites
Contact Us
- 02 6499 2222
- council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
-
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550 -
Monday to Friday 9.00AM to 4.30PM
Administration building Zingel Place Bega
Australia -
ABN: 26 987 935 332